Container and container system



1968 J. E. ARMSTRONG ETAL 3,403,808

CONTAINER AND CONTAINER SYSTEM 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 18, 1966 FIG-3.2

INVENTORS James E Ararat/W79 BY Bernard 0. Julia/2 ATTOAWL') 1968 J. E. ARMSTRONG ETAL 3,403,808

CONTAINER AND CONTAINER SYSTEM Filed April 18, 1966 45heets-Sheet 2 PIC-3.5

'INVENTORS James if flrmszrwry BY Ber/yard a (fa/m);

1968 J. E. ARMSTRONG ETAL 3,403,808

CONTAINER AND CONTAINER SYSTEM BY Ber/mm a Jake/W7 ATTORNEY 1968 J. E. ARMSTRONG ETAL 3,

CONTAINER AND CONTAINER SYSTEM Filed April 18, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 8

INVENTORS JZzmes If flrmstrafly Bernard a (7&774/7/7 United States Patent 3,403,808 CONTAINER AND CONTAINER SYSTEM James E. Armstrong, P.0. Box 6107, Jacksonville, Fla. 32205, and Bernard 0. Johann, R0. Box 65, Callahan, Fla. 32011 Filed Apr. 18, 1966, Ser. No. 543,355 16 Claims. (Cl. 22023.4)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A stackable and nestable container having side walls adapted for limited swinging movement between their upstanding stackable positions and their nesting positions disposed outwardly therefrom. The container has outwardly offset portions with a pair diagonally disposed and spaced above the container bottom and a second pair of offset portions spaced above the bottom a distance less than the other pair. The oitset portions of adjacent containers form passages therebetween for the reception of a locking member which releasably connects the containers.

This invention relates to containers and systems thereof, and particularly to an improved stackable and nestable container and container systems employing such improved containers.

A general object of this invention is to provide an improved stackable and nestable container.

A particular object is the provision of an improved self-contained container which may be partially knocked down for nesting one within the next and which may be readily erected into a useable container with any too-ls and/or loose connecting components and the like.

A related object is to provide such an improved container which when erected will stack one on the next and which may be easily moved by sliding an upper container on a lower container without inadvertent disengagement therebetween during sliding thereof.

Another particular object is the provision of -a rectangular container having substantially vertical side and end walls when erected for use in a stackable manner wherein such sides are movable outwardly adjacent the upper edges thereof whereby the bottom portion of an upper container may nest within the upper portion of a lower container.

A related object is to provide an improved container wherein the end walls are foldable inwardly of the container with the bottom of the upper nested container being in juxtaposition with the folded end walls of the lower container thereby effectively utilizing the stacking space capabilities thereof.

A specific object is the provision of an improved container wherein a pair of locking members are attached to respective end walls for releasably maintaining the container in its erected condition for use.

Another general object of this invention is to provide an improved container system.

A further particular object is the provision of a container system wherein a plurality of improved containers are releasably connected each to the next thereby preventing individual container shifting or displacement.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following descrip tion taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the improved stack able and nestable container in accordance with this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right end elevational view of the container of FIG. 1, showing the end panel in its erected position;

FIG. 4 is a right end elevational view of the container, similar to FIG. 3, showing the end panel in its collapsed non-erected position inwardly of the container;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a portion of the container taken along line 55 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the container, similar to FIG. 5, taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the container taken along line 77 of FIG. 3, showing the end panel in a partially collapsed position by broken lines;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the container system in accordance with this invention wherein four improved containers, as depicted in FIGS. 1-7, are connected together by a single locking member;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the locking member taken along line 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is an end elevational view of the pair of containers depicted in FIGS. 1-7 which are nested in accordance with this invention; and

FIG. 11 is an enlarged end elevational view, partly broken away, of a pair of containers depicted in FIGS. 1-7 shown in stacked condition in accordance with this invention.

Referring now more particularly to FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 the numeral generally designates the container which comprises a generally fiat bottom 21, a pair of upstanding generally vertical side walls 22 and 23 connected to respective side edges 24 and 25 of bottom 21, and a pair of upstanding end walls 26 and 27 hingedly connected to end edge portions 28 and 29 of bottom 21. A rectangular framing wire or rod extends around and forms the perimeter of the major portion of bottom 21 and the end sections 31 and 32 of framing rod constitute the hinge pins for connecting hinge edge portions 29 and 28 of bottom 21 to respective hinge edge portions 33 and 34 of respective end walls 27 and 26. The side rod sections 35 and 36 with lower side edge portions 37 and 38 respectively crimped therearound constitute the connection between side edges 24 and 25 of bottom 21 with the side walls 22 and 23. Side wall 22 has a plurality of tongue portions or straps 40 struck therefrom, yet connected thereto at their lower ends 41, and similar tongue portions or straps are struck from the opposite side 23 and are designated at 42. Straps 40 are oppositely disposed to and overlap respective straps 42 over a portion of its length and are connected thereto by spot welding or the like. Laterally extending straps 40 and 42 are connected to the longitudinally extending straps 45 of bottom 21 which extend between rod sections 31 and 32.

Generally inverted U-shaped elongated cap elements and 51 are attached to the upper edges of respective sides 22 and 23 thereby providing a rounded surface on which another identical container having elongated complemental channels, identical with channels 52 and 53, adjacent the bottom thereof (for example, as depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5) may rest on and be slidingly engaged with respective cap elements 50 and 51. Such an arrangement is specifically shown in FIG. 11 and will be described hereinafter. Elongated channels 52 and 53 are formed in lower edge portions 37 and 38 of respective side walls 22 and 23, channel 52 being located between rod section 35 and the outer surface 56 of side wall 22 and channel 53 being located between rod section 36 and outer surface 57 of side wall 23. When the container is set up for stacking purposes, as depicted in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, channels 52 and 53 are vertically aligned with respective cap members 50 and 51 to permit stacking of one container above another container, as shown in FIG. 11.

The end portions 59 of longitudinal straps 45 extend over rod section 32 and then beneath lateral straps 60 and 61, identical to respective straps and 42, and an end cover plate 62 is positioned beneath wire section 32 and is connected to straps 45, by spot welding or the like, adjacent wire section 32, cover plate 62 extending beneath straps 60 and 61 and is crimped over strap edge 63 and spot welded, as clearly shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, thereby covering the otherwise exposed plurality of ends of longitudinal straps which extend beneath straps and 61. A similar cover plate 64 is connected to the other ends of longitudinal straps 45 adjacent rod section 31.

An elongated element or member in the form of a wire 65 has a vertically extending portion 66 attached to side wall 23 by crimping the end edge 67 thereof inwardly of the container around wire section 66, as best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6. The bottom portion 68 of wire section 66 is oifset inwardly from side wall 23 and has a leg 69 extending generally parallel to side wall 23 which enters into the crimped passageway '70 formed within the lower edge portion 38 of side wall 23 in which bottom side rod section 36 is also disposed. Rod leg 69 is in general alignment with bottom side rod section 36, as shown in FIG. 6. A generally horizontal section 71 of wire 65 includes an outwardly offset portion 72, the function of which will be discussed in connection with FIG. 8, and a bent or curled end portion 73 through which a generally horizontal section 75 of wire 76 extends, wire section 75 including a bent end portion 77 curled around wire portion 71. Horizontal wire section 76 includes an oiiset portion 78 spaced a predetermined distance vertically above offset portion 72 of wire section 71 and vertically extending section 79, substantially identical to wire section 66, which is attached to the crimped side edge portion 80 of side wall 22.

A locking or retaining member in the form of an elongated element 85, having leg portions 86 and 87 nested within the crimped or curled upper edge 88 of end wall 26, as seen in FIG. 3, extends generally upwardly from legs 86 and 87 and inwardly to form a socket 90 in which horizontal wire section 71 is engaged when spanning portion 91 of wire member 85 is disposed inwardly of wire section 71, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 7, between wire ends 73 and 77. Wire member 85 may be pivoted outwardly on its legs 86 and 87 a predetermined distance, as shown by broken lines 92 in FIG. 7, to unlock the end panel 26 from the side walls 22 and 23. When locking member 85 is in its operative position as shown in FIG. 3, the curled side edges of end wall 26, including side edge 95, are disposed within pre-formed channels or grooves, including groove 96, in the side wall panels 22 and 23, groove 96 being shown in FIG. 5 along side wall 23 inwardly of the container. As seen, side edge 95 is locked within groove 96 between curled end edge 67 and an inwardly directed shoulder 98 spaced from edge 67 a predetermined distance to permit curled side edge 95 to be nested therebetween. When locking member 85 is pivoted rearwardly into its dotted line position 92, wire sections 71 and 76 may slide outwardly by forces applied to sides 22 and 23 in the direction of respective arrows 100 and 101 thereby moving wire ends 73 and 77 inwardly toward each other and moving sides 22 and 23 outwardly of each other to permit the end wall 26 to pivot on its hinged connection with bottom wire section 32 inwardly of the container into its collapsed stacking position, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 10. The dotted position 102 of end wall 26, in a partially collapsed position inwardly of the container, is shown in FIG. 7. Side walls 22 and 23 move outwardly sufiiciently to permit the side edges, including edge 95, of end panel 26 closely adjacently above points 105 and 106 on the side edges to clear the inwardly directed shoulder, including shoulder 98, and thereafter the upper edge 88 of end wall 26 rests upon one of the lateral straps 40, 42.

It is to be understood that while the container has been specifically described in connection with a detailed description thereof adjacent end wall 26, identical components of the container are employed as parts of the container adjacent end wall 27. However, wire 110 which is diagonally disposed from wire 76 is identical thereto, and wire 111 disposed diagonally with respect to wire 65 is identical thereto, the purpose of which will be discussed in connection with FIG. 8.

When the container 20 is in its set up condition ready for stacking, the end wall side edges, including edge 95, are disposed in respective channels, including channel 96, formed in the respective side walls 22 and 23 adjacent the end edges, including end edge 67, thereof and adjacent wires 65, 76, 110 and 111. The locking members 85 and 112 releasably lock the horizontally extending wires in position with side walls 22 and 23 extending generally vertically and the end walls 26 and 27 extending generally vertically. When the locking member 85 and 112 are swung outwardly of the container and outwardly of end walls 26 and 27, the wires 65, 76, 110 and 111 are forced outwardly to swing side walls 22 and 23 respectively outwardly on wire sections 35 and 36, and are generally limited in their outward swinging movement by the upturned lip portions 37 and 38 contacting the lateral straps 40 and 42 therebeneath, and are also limited in their swinging movement by, for example, ends 73 and 77 of wires 65 and 76 contacting each other which would occur if sides 22 and 23 were forced outwardly sufiiciently more than depicted in FIG. 4.

The container system in accord with this invention is depicted in FIG. 8 wherein four containers 120, 121, 122 and 123 are positioned closely adjacent each other, end walls 125 and 126 of respective containers 120 and 122 being parallel and end walls 127 and 128 of respective containers being parallel. Side wall 130 of container 120 is parallel to and closely adjacent side wall 131 of container 121, and side Wall 132 of container 122 is closely adjacent to and parallel with side wall 133 of container 123. The end edges 135 and 136 of side walls 130 and 132 of respective containers 120 and 122 are in juxtaposition with the horizontal wire portion 140 of wire 141 which is attached to end edge 136, wire portion 140 extending above horizontal portion 142 of wire 143 which is connected to end edge 135 of side wall 130. The outwardly ofiset portion 145 of wire 141 and olfset portion 146 of wire 143 overlap each other to provide a space 150 therebetween for the reception therein of a coupling member designated 151. The coupling member 151 is specifically shown in FIG. 9 and is seen to comprise a generally U-shaped member having a horizontally extending portion 152 and a pair of downwardly extending legs 153 and 154, leg 153 extending through space 150 between offset leg portions 145 and 146. Similarly, leg 154 is nested between oifset portions 155 and 156 of respective rods 157 and 158, thereby preventing container 121 from being moved longitudinally with respect to container 123. The single coupling member 151 is seen to releasably connect the four containers together thereby preventing individual container shifting or displacement with respect to each other. Such an arrangement is particularly useful in connection with palletized loads and the like or when the containers are stacked in multiple layers, for example, ten to twelve feet high.

The stacking feature of the containers is depicted in FIG. 11 wherein the upper container 160 is aligned above and stacked on lower container 161. The upper edges 162 and 163 of respective vertical sides 164 and 165 are inwardly directed and respective caps 166 and 167 are mounted thereon, caps 166 and 167 being identical with caps 50 and 51 previously described. The lower edges 170 and 171 of side walls 172 and 173 include respective channels 174 and 175, channels 174 and 175 opening downwardly to receive thereinto respective cap members 166 and 167 of container 161. As hereinbefore described in connection with channels 52 and 53, channels 174 and 175 are spaced inwardly from the outer side wall surfaces a predetermined distance corresponding to the distance which cap members 166 and 167 are disposed inwardly of the outer side wall surfaces of container 161. In FIG. a pair of containers 180 and 181 are shown in their open nestable condition, and as shown container 180 is nested within container 181. When the locking members on the end walls of the containers are released and the end walls are pivoted inwardly of the container, the side walls of the container 181 are spread outwardly a predetermined distance adjacent the upper edges of the side walls to permit a similarly open container 180 to nest therewithin. As seen the bottom 185 of container 180 rests upon the end walls, including end wall 186 of lower container 181, as viewed in FIG. 10.

While only a certain preferred embodiment of this invention has been shown and described by way of illustration, many modifications will occur to those skilled in the art and it is, therefore, desired that it be understood that it is intended in the appended claims to cover all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed as new and what is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A nestable container comprising a substantially flat bottom, a pair of upstanding side walls, and a pair of upstanding end walls, each said side wall being connected adjacent its lower edge portion to the side edge portion of said bottom and being adapted and arranged for movement from a generally vertical position outwardly to increase the distance between said side walls adjacent their upper edge portions, a member connected to each of the side wall edge portions adjacent said end walls and extending generally toward the opposite side wall, each said end wall being connected to the container and movable inwardly of the container when said side walls are moved outw ardly, each said end wall including means adjacent the upper edge portion thereof cooperable with said members attached to said side wall edge portions and disposed adjacent thereto for releasably connecting said members thereby releasably maintaining said side walls in their upstanding positions, said end walls being generally upstanding when each said means connects said members and when said side walls are in their upstanding positions, said end walls being foldable inwardly of the container to permit a similar container to be nested therein when each said means releases said members and said side walls are moved outwardly.

2. The container as defined in claim 1 further including connecting means for attaching each said side wall lower edge portion to said bottom side edge portion for limited swinging movement thereabout between their upstanding positions and their outward positions.

3. The container as defined in claim 1 further including a hinge connection means for attaching each said end wall to the container, said hinge connection means being generally perpendicular to said side walls and parallel to said bottom wall.

4. The container as defined in claim 1 wherein each said side wall edge portion includes a generally vertical inwardly opening groove extending between said side wall upper and lower edge portions, each said end wall having side edge portions nestingly fitted within respective said groove when the container is in its erected condition, each said end wall side edge portion being released from its corresponding said groove upon release of said latch means and movement of said side walls outwardly to dispose said sidewalls in their outward positions.

5. The container as defined in claim 1 wherein said members adjacent each said end wall extending toward the opposite side wall beyond the medial plane between said upstanding side walls, each said member having an end portion slidingly connected to the other member beyond the medial plane, each said means releasably engaging one said end portion of said member to prevent relative sliding said members thereby maintaining said side walls in their upstanding positions.

6. The container as defined in claim 5 wherein each said memberincludes an offset portion between its connection with respective said side wall and its said end portion extending outwardly with respect to and from respective said end walls, a pair of said offset portions disposed diagonally to each other being spaced above said bottom a predetermined distance, the other pair of said ofi'set portions being spaced above said bottom a distance less than said predetermined distance, said otfset portions adjacent one said end wall being adapted and arranged to respectively overlie and underlie the offset portions adjacent the other end wall of an identical container which is positioned with its other end wall closely adjacent said one end wall and to be releasably connected thereto thereby connecting said container to an identical container.

7. The container as defined in claim 1 wherein said members adjacent each said end wall extending toward the opposite side wall beyond the medial plane between said upstanding side walls, each said member having an end portion slidably attached to the other member beyond the medial plane, each said means adjacent said upper edge of said end wall including an element, said element being disposed between said end portions for maintaining same spaced apart thereby maintaining said side walls in their upstanding positions.

8. The container as defined in claim 7 wherein each said element includes socket means for nestingly and lockingly receiving therein a portion of one said members when said element is positioned between said member end portions.

9. The container as defined in claim 8 wherein said portion of said one member disposed in each said socket means of each said element forming a hand engageable portion for lifting the container.

10. A container comprising a bottom, a pair of upstanding side walls, and a pair of upstanding end walls, each said side wall having a lower edge portion connected along respective side edges of said bottom, said side walls being swingable between limits about their connections with said bottom to move said side wall portions from their upstanding erected positions to positions disposed outwardly therefrom, each said end wall being hingedly connected to said container on an axis extending generally perpendicularly to the upstanding side walls, said end walls being movable between their upstanding erected posltlons to positions inwardly toward each other within the container to dispose same adjacent said bottom, each sa1d side wall having a member attached thereto adjacent respective said end walls and extending generally toward the opposite side wall, each said end wall having a releasably retaining means attached thereto for selectively engaging each said member outwardly from said side Walls thereby maintaining said side walls and said end walls 1n their upstanding erected positions, said releasable retaining means upon disengagement permitting said slde walls to move outwardly and to move said end walls mwardly therebetween.

11. A stackable and nestable container comprising a bottom, a pair of upstanding side walls, and a pair of upstanding end walls, each said side wall having a lower edge portion connected along respective side edges of said bottom, said side walls being adapted for limited swinging movement thereof between their upstanding stackable positions and their nesting positions disposed outwardly therefrom whereby the distance between said upper side edge portions is greater than the distance between said lower side edge portions, each said end wall being hingedly connected to said container and movable between their upstanding stackable positions to their inward nestable positions inwardly toward each other within said container to dispose same adjacent said bottom, each said upper side edge portion including a continuous cap element therealong positioned inwardly from the plane of said side wall to which said respective cap element is attached when said side walls are in their upstanding stackable positions, each of said side wall lower edge portions including a continuous downwardly opening channel disposed in vertical alignment with respective said cap element when said side walls are in their upstanding stackable positions, releasable means between each said end walls and said side walls for maintaining said side walls and end walls in their upstanding stackable positions, said cap elements being adapted and arranged to be nestably positioned within corresponding downwardly opening channels adjacent the bottom of an identical container stacked above and on said container, said downwardly opening channels being adapted and arranged to receive corresponding cap elements of another identical container above and on which said container may be stacked, said releasable means when released permitting said end walls to be pivoted inwardly into their nestable positions within said container adjacent said bottom after swinging movement of said side walls outwardly to their outward nestable positions, said container in its nestable condition being adapted and arranged to nest within an identical container in its nestable condition and being adapted and arranged to receive therein another identical container in its nestable or stackable condition.

12. The container as defined in claim 11 wherein each said releasable means includes a member attached to each said side wall adjacent respective said end Walls and extending toward the opposite said side wall beyond the medial plane between said side walls, each said member having an end portion slidingly connected to the other said member beyond the medial plane, and a movable element attached to each side end wall adjacent its upper edge portion, each said movable element being positioned between respective said end portions of said members for maintaining same in a spaced position thereby maintaining said side walls in their stackable positions, each said element being movable from between respective said end portions of said members to permit said end portions to move toward each other upon outward movement of said side walls into their nestable positions.

13. The container as defined in claim 12 wherein each said element includes a socket means for receiving a portion of one of said members when said element is operatively positioned between said member end portions, each side one member forming a hand engageable portion for lifting the container.

14. A rectangular container comprising a bottom, a pair of upstanding side walls connected to said bottom, and a pair of end walls connected to said bottom, said container including first and second offset portions extending outwardly from the plane of one said end wall with said first offset portion being spaced a predetermined distance above said bottom and said second offset portion being a second predetermined distance above said bottom less than said first distance, said container having another pair of offset portions extending outwardly from the plane of the other said end wall, said third offset portion being diagonally disposed with respect to said first offset portion and extending above said bottom said first distance, said fourth offset portion being dia'gonally disposed with respect to said second offset portion and being spaced above said bottom at said second distance, said first offset portion being adapted to overlie a fourth offset portion of an identical container which is located with its other end wall adjacent said one end wall and said second offset portion adapted to underlie the third offset portion of the identical container, said first and second offset portions being adapted and arranged to be releasably connected to the respective fourth and third offset portions of an identical container when the other end wall of the identical container is positioned adjacent said one end wall.

15. A container system comprising a pair of identical containers aligned end to end, each said container including a bottom, a pair of upstanding side walls connected to said bottom, a pair of upstanding end walls connected to said bottom, each said container including a first and second offset portion extending outwardly from the plane of one said end wall with said first offset portion being spaced a first predetermined distance from said bottom with said second offset portion being spaced from said bottom a second predetermined distance less than said first distance, each of said containers including a third and fourth offset portion extending outwardly from the other said end wall, said third offset portion being diagonally disposed with respect to said first offset portion and being spaced above said bottom said first distance, said fourth otfset portion being diagonally disposed with respect to said second offset portion and being spaced from said bottom said second distance, said first offset portion of one said container overlying said fourth offset portion of the other said container, said second ofiset portion of said one container underlying said third offset portion of said other container, said overlying first and fourth offset portions forming therebetween a passage for the reception therein of a locking member, said underlying second and third portions forming therebetween a passage for the reception therein of another locking member, a locking member located in one said passage for releasably connecting said containers.

16. A container system for locking four identical containers together comprising four identical containers having offset portions extending outwardly from each said container adjacent its end walls, a first pair of containers aligned end to end and a second pair of containers aligned end to end with said first pair of containers being spaced closely adjacent to and parallel to said second pair of containers with their respective side walls being closely adjacent, said offset portions between said first and second container of said first pair and said offset portions of said first and second containers of said second pair forming respective passages therebetween for the reception therein of a locking member, a generally downwardly opening U-shaped locking member disposed within said passages for releasably locking said four identical containers in their respective positions thereby generally preventing individual container shifting and displacement.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,122,858 12/ 1914 Chamberlin 2207 2,190,201 2/1940 Ward 22023.5 X 2,783,915 3/1957 Gordon 22097 3,037,659 6/1962 Fredrick 22023.4

FOREIGN PATENTS 205,911 10/ 1959 Austria.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

GEORGE E. LOWRANCE, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE PATENT OFFICE Washington, D.C. 20231 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,403,808 October 1, 1968 James E. Armstrong et al.

It is certified that error appears in the above identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 6, line 5, after "sliding" insert between line 35, after "one" insert of Signed and sealed this 17th day of March 1970.

(SEAL) Attest:

WILLIAM E. SCHUYLER, JR.

Edward M. Fletcher, Jr.

Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

